Alesia

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So far Alesia Visconti has created 541 blog entries.
20 04, 2020

How critical is customer service to your franchise?

2020-04-20T18:50:53-04:00April 20th, 2020|

Serious middle aged executive manager explaining colleague online workNo one thing will necessarily make your business a success. However, a single thing can sink it: the inability to keep your customers happy. Here are a few simple suggestions you can apply (or improve on if you already do them) to help your company provide better customer service.

Listen to all messages and call people back. Most large companies have people dedicated to taking phone calls. For smaller businesses, answering the phone can sometimes be tricky. A small business owner may have to rely on an answering machine or service. Even for large businesses, there are calls that slip through the cracks during busy days, after office hours, etc. Take the time to call your customers back and help them solve their problems. It will go a long way to help with customer retention.

Fix any customer-related issues as quickly as possible. People don’t like to be left waiting, especially if they feel like your company has mistreated them or made a mistake. To prevent these situations from escalating and to avoid negative comments circulating about your company, it is important that these unhappy customers are dealt with in a timely manner.

Make sure all of your policies are clearly written and easily found. If your company has a strict no refund policy, make sure this is stated clearly on your website and reiterated to every customer prior to their purchase. That way you have a strong foundation to stand on when customers want to return their product.

Hire kind and patient people to work in your customer service department and at the front desk. In most cases, the best kind of person to be on the front line of customer service is one who is patient and even tempered. Even with a trying customer, an employee who can listen patiently and work to find a solution that is positive for both the customer and the company is a necessity. Often a situation can be defused simply because the customer feels that someone truly cares.

Serving your customers and making sure they are always happy is key to growing and retaining your customer base. Focus on your customer service. It is one of the keys to your business’s success.

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6 04, 2020

Is it time for a change?

2020-04-06T15:20:25-04:00April 6th, 2020|

17982125 - burnout and balanceOnce upon a time, American corporations provided their workers with cradle-to-grave security. Generations of families worked for the same company their entire careers and retired with a steady pension. Remember those? Often, adult children worked side-by-side with their parents at the local plant or store. It was a way of life that has long since disappeared in most of the country.

As the economy and structure of corporations have changed over the last two decades, those days have become a fading memory.

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show those born toward the end of the baby boom have held an average of 11.7 jobs between the ages of 18 to 48. Younger workers may end up having more than 15 jobs in their working life.

As companies continue to merge and downsize, the odds of you retiring from your current job are slim. So it’s important to prepare a Plan B and be ready to change careers when the time is right.

Here are some indications that your job may be in jeopardy:

Industry — Your company’s industry is going through a significant downturn. At one time craftsman made a good living as blacksmiths, but advances in technology and consumer tastes have essentially rendered the skill a novelty. Today, the printing, journalism and retail industries are going through tremendous change that is negatively impacting thousands of employees.

Workspace — Take a look around the office. Are there more empty desks at the end of each quarter? Is your company downsizing its facilities because it has fewer workers?

Attrition — Is your company leaving vacant positions unfilled and putting additional work on the employees it has left? Not only does that indicate tenuous job security, it lowers employee morale.

If it’s time for you to begin exploring your career options, consider the option of becoming a franchisee or a franchise consultant. We have all the resources you need to get started.

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16 03, 2020

Choosing the right business model for your personality type

2020-03-16T14:15:18-04:00March 16th, 2020|

Latin man using digital tabletWhether you’re considering a franchise or becoming a franchise consultant, it is critical that you consider all your options before settling on one. In short, a business model is a company’s plan of how it is going to be successful and make money. There are many different business models. Which one do you think will work the best for you?

Manufacturer: A manufacturer is an entity that creates products from raw materials. The company can then either sell these products directly to customers or outsource them to another company to sell. If you have an idea for a new product that doesn’t exist today, this is probably the business model for you.

Distributor: A distributor is one who purchases products directly from a manufacturer (usually in bulk at a lower cost) and then sells them to to the public or to retail outlets at a higher price. A good example of a distributor is a car dealership. The dealership buys a lot of cars directly from the manufacturer, adjusts the prices and sells them.

Broker: A company that acts as a mediator between the customer and business or even two businesses. Companies such as as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy are great examples of broker companies that mediate a business transaction between someone selling an item and someone buying that item.

As you explore the possibilities, there is one other model to keep in mind. If you want to own your own business and be your own boss — but you also want a proven model to follow — then you might want to consider a franchise.

Franchise: The type of franchise you purchase will determine the type of business model you use. Essentially you are paying an already successful company to use their business plan, resources and name. You will then follow that company’s model, whether you are a manufacturer, distributor or something else, to make money and grow your own business.

A benefit of a franchise is that you will have great resources available to you. As you look to start your own company, it is important that you establish your business model and know exactly how your company is going to make money. The models listed above, while not being extensive (there are definitely other business models out there) is a good starting point to help you decided what type of business you want to start.

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2 03, 2020

Why you shouldn’t fight your franchisor

2020-03-02T19:40:15-05:00March 2nd, 2020|

business conflict concept

You’re excited about finally owning your own franchise. So excited, in fact that you are bursting with ideas and inspiration! The problem is, those ideas sometimes clash with what your franchisor has in mind. Here’s why listening to them is probably a good thing.

Years of experience

If you’ve never owned a franchise, or never owned the particular one you’re considering, heed the voice of experience from your franchisor. They’re likely to be much more knowledgeable about its ins and outs than you are at this point. They may have already considered and tried many of your ideas, only to find out they’re untenable for a reason.

The right kind of franchisor

If you keep finding yourself butting heads with your franchisor, it may be you’re just in the wrong franchise. There are so many different types out there – you may be better off with one that’s already being run the way you want. Consider this carefully before you actually purchase a franchise license.

In the end, fighting your franchisor will not only drain you of time and energy, but it won’t be profitable. The odds are good your franchisor knows what they’re doing – so trust them to pave the way for your success!

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17 02, 2020

Sales isn’t really about sales at all

2020-02-17T14:35:54-05:00February 17th, 2020|

Young man thinkingYou’ve got to master one key skill if you want to be a franchise owner, make money, or be successful. You must learn to sell.

Now, when we say learn how to sell we don’t mean learn how to be pushy, rude, overwhelming, or any of those other not so nice words and phrases that people sometimes associate with sales teams. Og Mandino’s book “The Greatest Salesman in the World” — a bestseller with over 50 million copies sold — doesn’t say one word about how to push and sell your product. Instead the book, and the story contained within, teaches you how to become the greatest PERSON in the world. It touches on things such as: the importance of greeting each day with love in your heart, the need to persist until you succeed, being grateful, living each day as if it were your last, being unique and laughing at the world no matter what situation you’re in.

By learning the needed attributes of love, hard work, confidence and inner peace, we not only will become better sales people, but each of us can become a better leader, business owner and friend. We will help more people, have more success, and live a happier life.

When it comes down to it, we can relate almost anything in our life to selling. We are always trying to convince others of our way, get others to work with us, or get people to use our product. If we can attack each situation with a “salesman” type attitude and show love, confidence, and gratitude, there is no way that we can fail. So, if you have negative opinions when it comes to sales, consider what we’ve just discussed here and look at it as a way to approach life with a whole new attitude.

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3 02, 2020

Say goodbye to those four gray walls

2020-02-03T07:20:11-05:00February 3rd, 2020|

Happy african businesswoman holding digital tablet looking at cameraIs it time? Are you just over it and done with the cube farm life?

Are you tired of languishing under directors who don’t value your contribution to the organization?

Are you the enterprising type who loves to create jobs and wealth and see the fruits of your labor?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, franchising might be right for you. Franchising and franchise consulting allow you to go into business for yourself, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be alone. Starting a business isn’t easy, and when you try to do it by yourself, crucial aspects of the process — from site selection to construction, financing and training — have to be planned and executed by you (or your clients in the case of franchise consulting). Yet when you work with a franchise, you are provided with critically important pre-opening support. Whether it be tapping into regional or national advertising operations or getting assistance on bulk purchasing, a well-run franchise already has a proven record of success.

Consider that there are 100 unique franchise business categories. So no matter what you are interested in, and no matter what type of business you want to run, chances are there is a franchise out there that will match up with your passion. Franchising also allows for a combination of factors that have a positive impact on your unit-level performance. In other business it may be hard to find motivated partners, but a successful franchise operation has a lot invested in YOU. No one wants to see you fail. As a result, you can expect high level of support from those within the organization. In the end, there’s a number of great reasons why you should want to be your own boss, but deciding which franchise path is right for you is the first step in your own incredible journey.

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20 01, 2020

Sometimes, hard work does equal success

2020-01-20T15:21:15-05:00January 20th, 2020|

Close up male works in storage.How many times have we heard that the only secret to success is hard work?

We hear it so often that, well, it’s probably true. There is no big secret to becoming rich, famous, and successful. It literally comes down to having a dream or passion, having a plan to fulfill that dream, and doing it. That’s it. Three steps with hard, constant work being the driving factor.

So, let’s break it down. How does hard work take shape within each step?

Step 1: Have a dream, goal, or passion.

Think about your goal all of the time. Let it fill your thoughts. Think about it so much that it pushes out all the doubts. Know why you want to reach your goal and the exact reward you will receive by reaching it.

Step 2: Create a plan to fulfill that dream

Write out your plan multiple times. Figure out every detail and back-up detail in case something doesn’t go right or has to be changed. Make short-term plans (what you can do NOW), near-future plans (what you will have to do within the current year), and long-term plans (everything else that has to be done to carry out your plan). Be so thorough that you have the whole plan memorized and probably have a few of your friends annoyed because you talk about it so much.

Step 3: Do it. Carry out your plan. Adapt and change it along the way as needed. But do it.

Work harder than you ever have. Work harder than anybody else thinks is possible. Stay awake long hours. Don’t waste your time. Get help if you need it. Do anything and everything to fulfill your dream and reach your goal. Never give up. Look to the future, but live in the moment. Tell yourself you can do it and go to work.

Work hard and fulfill your dreams.

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6 01, 2020

Starting your own business this year? Read this first

2020-01-06T17:30:51-05:00January 6th, 2020|

Businessman sitting in office working on tabletFor many of you, this will be the year you finally start your own business. Whether your business operates out of your home, has a lot of different products or already has need of more employees, it’s important that certain steps are followed, not only so you can maximize your success, but also so you don’t run into any legal trouble.

The U.S. Small Business Administration breaks “starting a business” into the following 10 steps:

1. Write a business plan.
2. Get business assistance and training.
3. Choose a business location.
4. Finance your business.
5. Determine the legal structure of your business.
6. Register a business name.
7. Get a tax identification number.
8. Register for state and local taxes.
9. Obtain business licenses and permits.
10. Understand employer responsibilities.

A popular legal information site breaks it down even further, giving 50 detailed steps that need to be taken in order to open your own business successfully. Some of these steps include: Decide how many owners your business will have, decide if you will be doing business online and check available domain names, prepare organizational paperwork, obtain insurance, set-up a record keeping system for payments and paperwork, and purchase small business accounting software if needed.

If you do an internet search for how long it takes to start a business, you’ll find some articles that say no longer than a day and some that say nine months to a year. The truth is, it depends. It depends on the size of your business, your products, the cost of opening, etc. The most important thing it depends on, though, is you. If you have prepared well, have a passion and won’t take no for an answer, your business is as good as open; you just have the details to worry about.

If you have the passion and motivation to start your own business as a franchise consultant, but could use a little help with all of the options and details, get in touch!

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16 12, 2019

Creating a cozy, functional working space in your home

2019-12-16T10:46:06-05:00December 16th, 2019|

Young entrepreneur, teenager business owner work at home, alphaIt’s one of the greatest motivators in all of business: the opportunity to work from home. It may not seem like it, but there are actually quite a few franchise opportunities that allow you to do just that. When you are ready to take that step, one of the first things you need to do is create your at-home work space. Without adequate office space, the correct equipment or a “Do Not Disturb” sign, working from home can be a difficult task.

1. Choose your office location. Make sure this is a room that is big enough to hold everything you need in an organized manner. If there is anything in the room that might distract you (such as a TV), remove it. Try and choose a room that minimizes the distractions of your living environment (i.e. kids, lawn mowers, dogs barking, etc.).

2. Furnish your office space. This includes furniture, storage containers and electronic equipment that you need. “Need” is the key word here. Don’t buy things you won’t need. Not only are they a waste of money, but they will take up valuable space in your office. Another thing, don’t skimp on the technology. Make sure your internet is fast and that your computer is up-to-date and loaded with the programs you will need.

3. Set everything up in an organized manner. At least to start, because everything will get a little crazy once you begin working, make sure everything is in place and that your office is clean. A clean and organized work space will lead to hours of distraction-free work.

4. Set a work schedule and stick to it. This is important not only for you but for your family members as well. You may also need to invest in a “Do Not Disturb” sign and let your family know that when the sign is on the door, you’re off limits. There might be a lot more to setting up a home office than you thought. Good luck working from home!

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2 12, 2019

This is how to love your franchise even more

2019-12-02T09:05:28-05:00December 2nd, 2019|

38346166_MYou love the franchise you’ve chosen, and why not? It perfectly suits your personality, interests and style. But is it possible to bring even more passion to your working life? The answer is, “Yes!” Read on to find out how.

Your office, your way

Half the fun of having your own office (in addition to shutting the door when things get crazy) is decorating it! Adding your personal touches to the space – whether they’re pictures, plants or bric-a-brac – makes you smile when you get to work.

Spread the love

If you love your job, but loathe networking, there’s good news: talking about what you love is the easiest (and most effective) form of networking! You don’t have to wait for specific networking events to chat about your business; just bring it up when it seems appropriate, and let your excitement speak for itself.

Have a life outside work

It may seem counterintuitive, but having a life outside of work can allow you to look forward to your job even more. Doing the same thing over and over – even if you love it – can get repetitive after a while. It’s important to have separate interests, so that you can come back to your franchise fresh and refueled for the fun times ahead!

What do you most enjoy about your franchise? Share your comments on our Facebook Page!

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